Dressed up Wild Mushroom Mac & Cheese

Canada produces several varieties of delicious mushrooms. We love how this recipe uses a mix of mushrooms and is served with a cheesy, garlicky, fresh herb sauce. Comfort food at it’s finest!

Gouda mornay sauce:

6 tbsp (90 mL) unsalted butter

3 tbsp (45 mL) white truffle oil

1 onion, finely diced

1/2 cup (125 mL) all-purpose flour

2 1/2 cups (625 mL) 2% milk

2 tsp (10 mL) fresh lemon juice

1 tsp (5 mL) kosher salt

Pinch of grated nutmeg

2 cups (500 mL) grated Sylvan Star Smoked Mild Gouda

1 lb (450 g) farfalle (bow tie) pasta (Catelli, Primo or Italipasta)

Mushroom ragout:

8 cloves garlic confit*

2 tbsp (30 mL) garlic confit oil*

2 shallots, julienned

5 oz (150 g) each fresh oyster and shimeji mushrooms

3 oz (90 g) each fresh morel and chanterelle mushrooms

1 cup (250 mL) dry red wine

1 sprig thyme, stemmed

Freshly ground black pepper

6 oz (170 g) fresh arugula

1/4 cup (60 mL) each chives and flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Truffle oil (optional)

Gouda mornay sauce: In a medium saucepan, heat butter and oil over medium heat; sauté onion 3 minutes or until translucent. Sprinkle with flour; sauté 3 minutes or until golden brown. Gradually stir in milk and lemon juice; whisk until smooth. Reduce heat to low, season with salt and nutmeg; simmer 10 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in Gouda until melted. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Mushroom ragout: In a large skillet, heat garlic and garlic oil on high heat, add shallots; sauté 2 minutes or until tender. Add mushrooms, sauté until slightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add wine, cook, stirring and scraping up any bits, for 2 minutes or until reduced. Stir in thyme leaves and pepper. Remove from heat; stir in arugula until slightly wilted.To serve, add pasta to Gouda mornay sauce; toss to coat. Divide pasta among shallow serving bowls and top with mushroom ragout. Sprinkle with chives and parsley; drizzle with truffle oil.

Notes: To make garlic confit and garlic confit oil: in a small saucepan, on low heat, simmer peeled garlic cloves in olive oil to cover until garlic is tender, about 40 minutes. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Use any combination of wild mushrooms to equal the total amount of 1 lb (450 g).